Chapter 106: History Unchanged, Unraveling Doubts

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At night, Cai Cong refused to eat and locked himself in the study. Sister Cai knocked on the door several times without a response, and in helplessness, she had to ask the old master to come. The old master was chatting idly with Zhao Zhujie. Hearing that their precious grandson was in such a state, how could he remain seated? He grabbed Zhao Zhujie and the two of them went together to the Hou residence. With the old master’s arrival, Cai Cong could no longer close the door and refuse to see anyone.

Opening the door, he was curled up in a corner, facing the wall, unwilling to see anyone.

“Everyone else leave! Perhaps it’s been a long time since I’ve spoken heart-to-heart with my grandson; no one is to disturb us,” the old master declared with authority. In the mansion, it was rare to see the mistress contradicted; if you were right, she wouldn’t do much, but contradicting the old master, right or wrong, meant a beating first and questions later.

“Dear grandson, what’s wrong? This isn’t like the clever boy you usually are!” The old master coaxed him gently, his voice full of affection. Zhao Lao, unconcerned with formalities, sipped Cai Cong’s fine tea and watched the scene before him.

“My heart feels heavy, uncomfortable. You let me be alone; I’ll come to terms with it on my own,” Cai Cong said weakly. He had always strived to build an ideal Tang dynasty, even if it meant wielding the butcher’s knife.

Unfortunately, he forgot that history is history because it has already happened. He wished to change history, but this was not a sketchbook to be altered at will. Every life before him had its own course and will. In the end, he realized that no matter how much you try to cleanse what is filthy, it remains dirty.

“Dear grandson, were you frightened? Those eunuchs are truly scoundrels. How could they beat someone to death right before your eyes? Should we have your uncle invite some monks or Taoist priests to conduct rituals?” The old master smiled warmly, unaware of the full situation and relying on guesswork. Cai Cong sighed inwardly; even this wise old man had his limitations.

“A few lives lost won’t scare me. It’s what happened during the disaster relief trip that unsettled me so,” he said.

“You must have been disgusted by all the conspiracies and schemes!” Zhao Zhujie suddenly put down his tea and asked. Cai Cong glanced at him, astonished at how well-informed the old man was.

“Nonsense, I do not have the ability to receive such intelligence. You look just like I did in my confused days,” Zhao Zhujie said bluntly, though his eyes were full of admiration. Those without thought never reach this stage.

“Please, Elder Zhao, teach me!” Cai Cong responded.

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“There’s nothing to teach. You could hide away like I do and ignore the mundane world; that way, you’d find some peace. But whether it’s true peace or just your own torment, only you would know,” Zhao Zhujie said sadly. Once, he too had harbored grand ambitions to revive the Sui dynasty, but after countless times of his passion being extinguished, he chose to immerse himself in nature, adopting a ‘see no evil’ stance.

“That’s not what I want,” Cai Cong shook his head. He had chosen to escape in his previous life; now that he had a second chance, he would not follow the old path.

“Then you should study the life of Wen Ji. His was even more turbulent than mine, yet he never gave up on what he believed. He taught Emperor Yang of Sui, a tyrant, and often contemplated suicide, but he endured. He taught Li Jiancheng, a fine crown prince, who ultimately lost to the emperor. Now, Wen Ji devotes himself wholly to the prince.

He firmly believes that if the ruler is wise, the empire will be peaceful and the people prosperous. This has been his lifelong faith and struggle. That’s why the scholar community reveres him as a teacher, and the imperial family honors him as such.”

Cai Cong remained silent. He was not as strong as Li Gang. Even indirect intrigues sickened him to silence. Another round would break him.

“You fell into the pit yourself. Whether you climb out depends on you! We can only pull you up at critical moments; the rest is up to you,” Zhao Zhujie said, patting the old master. The old master hesitated. Unlike Elder Zhao, he had fewer grand theories, only wanting to tease his grandson a little more, hoping to enlighten him. But those who must leave will still leave. Cai Cong sat in the pitch-dark study, not even lighting a lamp. Fang Yuan held a sword, standing guard through the night breeze.

The next day, Cai Cong did not come out. The gifts sent by Li Shimin were all received by Sister Cai on his behalf. When news reached the palace, Li Chengqian immediately rushed to the Hou residence.

Seeing the courtyard filled with people outside the study, he walked a few steps but did not knock on the door. His father had said that if Cai Cong comes to his senses, Tang would gain a capable statesman; if he does not, Tang might gain a sage on par with Confucius and Laozi; if he goes astray, then kill him to prevent future disasters.

Li Chengqian did not understand his father’s meaning but hoped his friend would be well. Youths have their little schemes, but not malice.

The sun set, and the room remained silent, as if everyone guarded an empty house. When moonlight shone on the window frame, Cai Cong suddenly smiled. Whether he was there or not, these people would remain, only that some stories were never recorded in history.

Wasn’t his mission to change all this? If everything were perfect, what struggle would there be? How mundane, how ridiculous he was acting.

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Pushing open the door, seeing the courtyard full of people, Cai Cong cracked his dry lips and said, “I’m hungry. I want to eat!”

Suddenly, the entire Hou residence seemed to come alive. The steward scolded the cooks for not preparing food earlier, while the cooks kicked their apprentices’ backsides, demanding to know why they were not reminded.

Some excitedly swept the courtyard late at night, claiming they needed to drive away bad luck to avoid sullying their lord’s spirit. Sister Cai said nothing, nor did she cry, proudly glancing at everyone present. This is my son, emerging from his cocoon, destined to be even stronger.

When everyone expected Cai Cong to make a grand move, he instead appeared listless, avoiding the military camp and court sessions, spending his days inspecting his businesses, wandering the eastern and western markets, and occasionally venturing into the mountains.

Li Shimin sent messengers multiple times to summon Cai Cong to court, but he refused, citing old injuries. Watching him bare-chested, performing a mysterious martial art with vigor, Yan Dong’s eye twitched. With your strength, you could kill a dog with one punch—where is this injury?

“My lord, please have mercy and attend court! It’s been half a month, the emperor has lost his temper many times but spares you. I don’t even know how many times I’ve been scolded!” the steward pleaded.

“Nonsense. Without me, you’d think the empire would fall into chaos,” Cai Cong said casually as he practiced his punches. Li Shimin probably wanted him to return because someone needed to take responsibility.

“Chaos indeed, and severe chaos! You don’t know, your salt regulation has thrown everything into disorder. The noble families and dukes are all fighting for the right to control it. They quarrel in court and brawl after. Just in Longxi, the Li family has clashed several times with the Yuchi, Li Ji, and Hou Junji clans. They even went to the retired emperor to complain. The emperor’s head is about to explode.”

The profits from salt far exceeded Cai Cong’s imagination. At the slightest opportunity, everyone pounced, even a small share could sustain a family for generations.